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India vs South Africa, 1st ODI: India probable XI for Dharamsala match; Hardik Pandya in focus

India vs South Africa, 1st ODI: India probable XI for Dharamsala match; Hardik Pandya in focus as the all-rounder set to play his first match of 2020 after a long injury lay-off.

India vs SA, 1st ODI: India probable XI

Dharamsala, March 11: The focal point of India's first ODI against South Africa here at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium on Thursday (March 12) is the return of Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as both of them were out of action owing to injury.

Their efforts will be key for India going forward as this is the ICC T20 World Cup year and MyKhel here looks at the India probable XI for the first match.

1. KL Rahul

1. KL Rahul

The opener has been in prime form since getting a promotion as opener in the series against Australia where he also began to do the wicketkeeping role. Rahul would like to continue in the same vein.

2. Shikhar Dhawan

2. Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan will be eager to get back among runs after a couple of months struggle. The SA attack might test him but the southpaw has the wherewithal to survive the examination.

3. Virat Kohli

3. Virat Kohli

Kohli went through the wringer in the series against New Zealand managing just one fifty during the entire tour. The Indian skipper would like to write a different script in this series.

4. Shreyas Iyer

4. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas looked in good touch in the last series he played against New Zealand, and the Mumbaikar will be eager to dish out a few more meaningful efforts for he could entrench himself deep at No 4.

5. Manish Pandey

5. Manish Pandey

Rishabh Pant was not in his elements in the series against New Zealand with the bat though he was pretty alright as a ‘keeper. With Rahul set to keep/open, the powers that be might give Manish Pandey a go as he is an asset on the field too.

6. Hardik Pandya

6. Hardik Pandya

Pandya is returning to international cricket after a considerable break and his outing will be keenly watched. Pandya's injury-enforced absence has seriously hurt the balance of the team.

7. Ravindra Jadeja

7. Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja had a fine second Test against NZ after replacing Ashwin in the XI and he took a sensational catch too at Christchurch. He should be bolstering the team in Dharamsala too.

8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Like Pandya, Bhuvneshwar too will be playing his maiden international match of 2020 and he will be keen to make an impression and reclaim his spot back in the team.

9. Yuzvendra Chahal

9. Yuzvendra Chahal

The leg-spinner had a good white ball series against NZ and he would like to replicate or better that effort in conditions more familiar and suitable to him.

10. Navdeep Saini

10. Navdeep Saini

Saini has the pace and the conditions in Dharamsala will also aid his ability to swing the ball and he should be a starter.

11. Jasprit Bumrah

11. Jasprit Bumrah

By his standards, Bumrah had a modest series against New Zealand both in limited over and Test matches. He would like to have a different story against SA.

Story first published: Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 13:44 [IST]
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